Sermons 

5 Insights into John’s Conception

At our Sunday school this morning, we studied the Song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer, in Luke 1:67-79. One of the discussion points was the conception of John, and here are some of my thoughts on verse 15 which says, “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).

“Annunciation of the Angel to St. Zechariah” by Giovanni Tornabuoni, 15th century
“Annunciation of the Angel to St. Zechariah” by Giovanni Tornabuoni, 15th century
  1. Even in his mother’s womb, John was already filled with the Holy Spirit. This means he was already regenerated. This is contrary to the common belief that an infant cannot be regenerated by God and have faith.
  2. An infant in the womb is not a “fetus,” but already a distinct human being. This means that abortion is premeditated murder against a human being.
  3. When John was about 6 months in Elizabeth’s womb, he already recognized Jesus in the womb of Mary. Elizabeth exclaimed in wonder, “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44).
  4. An infant in the womb for a month or two is also already a distinct human being. John in the womb already recognized the newly-formed infant Jesus in Mary’s womb as his Savior. See also Isaiah 49:1, 5.
  5. The prophet Jeremiah and Paul affirm that God knew them from the womb. Jeremiah (Jer 1:5) and Paul (Gal 1:15) were known and consecrated by God to be his servants. They wouldn’t be mere non-human fetuses while God was forming them in the womb.

 

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